Wei Zhong Xian was terrified to see Chen Ran had tied him to the table.
At this time, Chen Ran went over and picked up a bucket of water from the corner of the room, then took out the cloth that was covering the gold and banknotes, and soaked it in the bucket.
After the cloth was completely soaked, Chen Ran spread it out and then covered Wei Zhong Xian's face with it.
Wei Zhong Xian instantly felt suffocated.
But he still hadn't experienced the terror of this torture, and he was still thinking:
Is this even called a punishment?
At this moment, Chen Ran picked up the bucket and slowly poured the water on Wei Zhong Xian's face.
Wei Zhong Xian suddenly felt like he was about to be drowned.
This was a complete feeling of suffocation and drowning!
Water was continuously flowing into his nostrils and mouth, but the towel prevented him from spitting it out and completely blocked the air.
Even though he held his breath, he still felt like the air was being completely sucked out, and his lungs were being continuously emptied. The desperation and pain of this drowning sensation could last for several minutes!
After more than three minutes, the person being tortured would involuntarily defecate and urinate, and blood would even ooze from their eyes, nose, and mouth!
But the most terrifying part is that this kind of torture leaves absolutely no trace of injury!
With the current level of forensic examination, it would be almost impossible to detect any flaws!
This is water torture!
Chen Ran was determined to force the location of Wei Zhong Xian's hidden wealth from him, but he couldn't let anyone see that Wei Zhong Xian had been tortured.
He also couldn't burn the corpse with fire as in the original story.
If he did, Zhao Jing Zhong and Chong Zhen would still have their suspicions!
Therefore, water torture was his best solution!
Even seasoned intelligence agents in later generations, who have received professional training and torture drills, could not withstand this torture.
How much more so for Wei Zhong Xian, an elderly man who had lived a life of luxury for many years and had never experienced such hardship!
Under water torture, Wei Zhong Xian truly struggled and convulsed in pain, but his limbs were tightly bound to the table legs, making it impossible for him to escape. He could only endure the torment of this torture!
At this moment, Ding Xiu walked to the door.
After he killed the young man in white, he saw Chen Ran pouring water on Wei Zhong Xian's face. He couldn't help but feel strange in his heart, but he didn't say anything. He stood silently by the door.
Chen Ran estimated that it had been almost two and a half minutes and stopped pouring water. He then removed the wet cloth from Wei Zhong Xian's face.
Wei Zhong Xian, like a drowning man who had been saved, coughed out large amounts of water before gasping for breath, his eyes filled with pain and fear.
“No one can withstand this kind of torture twice. It’s far more terrifying than the branding irons, whips, and iron shoes they use in the Imperial Prison!”
Chen Ran's icy voice echoed in his ear:
“Besides, this torture leaves absolutely no trace of injury!”
Wei Zhong Xian gasped for breath for a while, and his mind gradually became clear.
“No… ”
The terrifying aspect of this torture is that it allows you to continuously experience the process of drowning.
As long as Chen Ran wants to, he can repeat it endlessly!
However, even seasoned intelligence agents in later generations could barely withstand it twice!
Wei Zhong Xian absolutely did not want to endure it a second time!
Chen Ran sneered:
“Now can you tell me where your treasures are hidden?”
Wei Zhong Xian panted and replied:
“My treasures… are divided into two parts. One is hidden in the capital, and the other is… in Qixia Mountain!”
Qixia Mountain?
Chen Ran couldn't help but frown.
Chen Ran could guess that Wei Zhong Xian had hidden some of his gold and silver jewelry in the capital.
But what Chen Ran didn't expect was that he had hidden most of his treasures in Qixia Mountain!
After thinking for a moment, Chen Ran suddenly understood.
Wei Zhong Xian had already arranged a way out for himself!
Qixia Mountain is located in Jiaodong, only a hundred miles from Weihaiwei and Dengzhou on the coast!
If there were any changes in the court, he could quietly reach Qixia Mountain, take all his gold and silver jewelry, and escape by sea, leaving the Ming Dynasty forever!
Understanding this, Chen Ran said coldly:
“Tell me the exact locations of these treasures!”
Wei Zhong Xian had caught his breath and said dejectedly:
“I drew two maps showing the exact locations, and I hid them in my belt!”
Chen Ran reached out and untied Wei Zhong Xian's belt. He saw that there was a hidden pouch between the gold-encrusted jade belt, containing two very thin pieces of silk.
Upon unfolding them, they were indeed two treasure maps!
After glancing at the two treasure maps, Chen Ran quickly confirmed that they were genuine and immediately tucked them away in his chest.
Wei Zhong Xian lay on the table and sneered:
“You got so much money for Chong Zhen, but you probably won't escape the fate of a rabbit being cooked after it's dead!”
Chen Ran smiled faintly:
“Who said I’ll give them to Chong Zhen!”
Hearing Chen Ran's words, Wei Zhong Xian seemed to understand something and suddenly laughed ferociously:
“You're not Zhao Jing Zhong's man, and you don’t want to give the money to Chong Zhen. Interesting…”
“It seems you want to pocket all the money for yourself. Do you have the life to enjoy so much money alone?”
Chen Ran looked coldly at Wei Zhong Xian:
“You held absolute power for eight years and enjoyed all the wealth and glory!”
“Now we have barbarian tribes threatening from outside, rebels wreaking havoc on the people, and the Donglin Party causing chaos in the court. The entire Ming Dynasty is on the verge of collapse. This is all thanks to you!”
“I’ll use this money to raise an army, strengthen the military, and try to create a new world for China!”
Wei Zhong Xian couldn't help but sneer upon hearing this:
“With just you?”
“With just me!”
Chen Ran’s three words were delivered with decisiveness and confidence!
Under the night sky, his eyes shone like morning stars, filled with confidence and determination!
Wei Zhong Xian turned to look at him, his eyes gradually transitioning from disbelief to astonishment, and finally, even a hint of admiration.
After a long silence, Wei Zhong Xian suddenly sighed:
“If you really can do this, my silver will have gone to a good place, and I won't have died in vain!”
Chen Ran turned and smiled faintly:
“Your death will definitely not be meaningless!”
“I will take your head back and give it to Chong Zhen to give him an explanation. And I’ll use it to exchange for a new identity from Zhao Jing Zhong!”
“This identity will allow me to quickly develop in a certain place, train a strong army, and save this precarious nation!”
After speaking, Chen Ran suddenly raised his embroidered brocade sword and swung it down towards Wei Zhong Xian's neck.
Clack!
Wei Zhong Xian's head instantly rolled off the table like a ripe watermelon, bouncing to the ground.
The blood spurted out like a fountain, instantly staining the ground!
Chen Ran swiftly swung his sword again, cutting the ropes binding Wei Zhong Xian’s hands and feet, and then kicked his body to the ground. He turned, picked up Wei Zhong Xian's head, and wrapped it in the wet cloth, lifting it up.
He turned and walked downstairs with Ding Xiu.
Shen Lian, Jin Yi Chuan, Lu Jian Xing, and Fang Cheng, along with eighty Qi family army swordsmen, stood silently in the rain.
In the courtyard, the corpses of the assassins lay scattered about.
Chen Ran raised Wei Zhong Xian's head and held it high in the air:
“I have obtained the head of Wei Yan. Let's take a break, then we will return to the capital!”